LionsXII striker Sahil Suhaimi, whose brace played a major role in his team's stunning 3-1 Malaysia FA Cup final win over Kelantan, hopes his heroics at Bukit Jalil Stadium on Saturday evening will propel him to greater heights at next month's SEA Games.

The 22-year-old, who is known for his finishing, showcased his marksmanship in a devastating nine-minute spell in front of 85,000 fans to help Fandi Ahmad's men to become the first foreign team to win the FA Cup.

After the match, a soft-spoken and shy Sahil said: "I didn't expect to score tonight , I only wanted to play well.

"It (the goals) gives me confidence but I can't be too overconfident. Getting that winning feeling only gives me more motivation (for the Games). For now , I have to keep working hard."

The Singapore Under-23s are drawn in Group A at the SEA Games against the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Sahil admitted that he was overcome with emotion and cried when the first of his two strikes bulged the net. As he dispossessed a Kelantan player inside the LionsXII's half in the 81st minute, he ran at the heart of the defence, beating two players before drilling a low shot past the dive of goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

And in the final minute, the second-half substitute drew a foul inside the box and took the spot-kick himself to give his team only its second win in eight matches against the Red Warriors.

Sahil said: "It was a pleasure for me that Fandi sent me on in the hopes that I could do something special. I am glad to have helped the team."

The Straits Times

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